Self-locating sample receptacle having integral identification label

ABSTRACT

A liquid sample receptacle includes an integral label portion carrying machine-readable indicia identifying the sample source and located substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a cup portion. The sample receptacle is structured with respect to the turntable unit to properly align the machine-readable indicia for automatic readout.

United States Patent Engelhardt 1451 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] SELF-LOCATINGSAMPLE [56] References Cited RECEPTACLE HAVING INTEGRAL I Tl I UNll'EDTE A NT IDE CATION LABEL 3 266 298 8/1966 :2 TE S 356/246 X y te ea [721Em 3,526,125 9/1970 Gilford et al ..73/53 [73] Assignee: TechniconInstruments Corporation, 3929 216 11/1967 Isreeli ..73/423 A 3,107,53710/1963 Isreeli et al ..73/423 A Tarrytown, NY. 3,320,618 5/1967 Kuch etal ..73/53 X [2 Filed: p 14, 1970 3,430,495 3/1969 Burge ..73/423 A [211App. No; 72,743 3,497,320 2/1970 Blackburn et al ..250/219 ID RelatedU.S. Application Data Primary Examiner-Ronald L. W1bert [63].Contmuanon-m-part of Ser. No. 830,059, June Assistant v p McGl-aw 1969,abafldoned- Attorney-S. P. Tedesco and S. E. Rockwell [52] U.S. Cl..356/246, 23/253, 73/423 A, [57] ABSTRACT A l1qu1d sample receptacleincludes an integral label [51] 'f 1/ 606k 7,00 portion carryingmachine-readable indicia identifying 0f A, 53, the sample source andlocated substantially parallel to 1 250/218; the longitudinal axis of acup portion. The sample 23/292 receptacle is structured with respect tothe turntable unit to properly align the machine-readable indicia forautomatic readout.

l0 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures B FIG.1C

INVENTOR ALVIN ENGELHARDT If/M AI I'UHNEY PATENTEDAUB 1 1972 SHEET 2 OF2 78 FIG.3B

SELF-LOCATING SAMPLE RECEPIACLE HAVING INTEGRAL IDENTIFICATION LABELThis Application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.830,059 filed June 3, 1969now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention.

The invention relates to automatic apparatus'for the quantitativeanalysis of liquid samples and, more particularly, to a liquid samplereceptacle for introducing liquids to be analyzed to said apparatus,such receptacle having an integral portion bearing machine-readablecoded indicia identifying the sample source.

2. Background of the Invention.

In the prior art, numerous apparatuses have been described for theautomatic quantitive analysis of liquid samples, for example, in the L.T. Skeggs US. Pat. No. 2,797,l49, issued on June 25, 1957, and the L. T.Skeggs et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,432, issued on Mar. 22, 1966. In suchapparatuses, different liquid samples to be analyzed for one or moreconstituents of interest are located in individual sample receptacleswhich are positioned on a turntable unit. The turntable unit is indexedto allow the liquid samples to be aspirated successively and directed toanalysis apparatus as a continuous stream, generally segmented by animmiscible, inert fluid, either liquid or gas. The samples are treatedindividually with particular reagents and, subsequently, directed to ananalysis apparatus wherein the concentration of a particular constituentof interest is determined, for example, colorimetrically,spectrochemically, etc.

In such apparatuses, the individual liquid samples being analyzed areessentially visually indistinguishable and, hence, a sample-sourcerelationship is non-existent. It is essential, however, that properidentity of the individual liquid samples be correlated with respect tothe sample source such as a patient. Without such correlation, automaticand continuous analysis of liquid samples cannot be practical, and theanalyst would be forced to revert to slower and, often, less reliablemanual processes, wherein the sample-source relationship is maintained.Generally, to effect such correlation, each sample receptacle isidentified by a sample identification card, attached either to thesample receptacle, per se, or to the sample receptacle holder on theturntable unit. Each identification card carries machine-readable codedindicia identifying the sample source, and is readout, in turn, byautomatic means as the turntable unit is indexed, the readoutinformation being correlated with the analysis results.

However, the attachment or positioning of sample identification cardswas manually performed. Great care was required of the analyst to insurethat each was accurately positioned and properly aligned with respect tothe automatic readout means. Misalignment, or misregistration, of anidentification card would result in improper identification of thecorresponding liquid sample. In the prior art to date, there has beenmuch effort directed to the problem of sample identification, both withrespect to insuring a completely reliable system and, also, reducing themanual effort involved.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of this invention is toprovide positive sample identification in automatic analysisapparatuses.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in automatic analysisapparatuses, for the positive alignment of machine-readable codedinformation identifying a sample source concurrently with thepositioning of a sample container on a turntable unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid samplereceptacle including an integral label portion supportingmachine-readable indicia identifying the sample source.

A further object of this invention is to provide a liquid samplereceptacle including an integral label portion supportingmachine-readable indicia and which is self-aligning with respect toautomatic readout means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a liquid samplereceptacle of particular structure which is self-aligning andself-retaining when positioned on an indexable turntable unit.

Still another object is to provide a liquid sample receptacle includinga holder having an integral label portion carrying identifying indicia,which holder removably receives for support thereby a cuvette containingthe liquid sample.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the sample receptacle comprises an elongatedtubular cup portion, either of cylindrical,

oblong, or rectangular cross-section, and a curved label portion, therespective longitudinal axes being substantially parallel. The labelportion is integral with the cup portion along a planar connectorportion shaped as an annular section. The connector portion collars thecup portion, and is joined along its longer curved edge to the labelportion. The connector portion and, also, the label portion aredimensioned such that the respective edges thereof abut correspondingedges of sample receptacles when properly positioned on an indexableturntable unit. Accordingly, the surfaces of the respective labelportions, which support machine-readable coded indicia, define acylindrical shape, each unit surface area being spaced a properdistance, when indexed, from stationary readout means, positionedadjacent to the turntable unit. Also, abutment of the correspondingedges insures proper axial alignment of the coded indicia with respectto the readout means.

Further, the turntable unit is structured so as to be engaged betweenthe cup and label portions of each sample receptacle. The turntablearrangement includes an annular rim portion and, also, an aperture forreceiving the cup portion of a positioned sample receptacle. The cup andlabel portions of each sample receptacle are spaced so as to clasp therim portion of the turntable arrangement to provide alignment andstability. Also, when a sample receptacle is properly positioned, itsconnector portion rests on the upper edge of the rim portion to insureproper vertical alignment of the coded indicia with respect to thereadout means.

FIG. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C show a top view,full sectional view and a front view, respectively, of a liquid samplereceptacle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a partial-sectioned side view of a turntable unitsupporting a plurality of liquid sample receptacles as would be employedin an automatic analysis apparatus, which apparatus is illustrated inblock form.

FIG. 2B is a partial top view of the turntable unit of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a view similar to FIG. 1A illustrating a modification of thesample receptacle.

FIG. 3B is a partially exploded view similar to FIG. 18 furtherillustrating the modification.

FIG. 3C is a view similar to FIG. 1C further illustrating themodification.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3B illustrating still anothermodification of the sample receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1A lC, thesample receptacle 1 includes an elongated cylindrical cup portion 3,formed of plastic or other suitable inert material, having an invertedconical bottom 5 raised slightly above lower extremity 7. Conical bottom5 insures that substantially the entire liquid sample contained in cupportion 3 can be aspirated, as hereinafter described.

A connector portion 9 is attached to and collars cup portion 3 slightlybelow its upper extremity 11. Connector portion 9 can be formed of aflat sheet of any appropriate rigid material, e.g., a plastic, andincludes an aperture 13 for receiving cup portion 3. As shown in FIGS.1A and 1B, connector portion 9 is preferably shaped as an annularsection, cup portion 3 being received in the narrower end portion. Also,connector portion 9 is joined along its entire wider curved edge 15 tolabel portion 17, the latter being supported substantially parallel withrespect to the longitudinal axis of cup portion 3. Label portion 17 canbe formed of a same material as connector portion 9, whereby samplereceptacle 1 could be formed as a unitary structure, for example, bymoulding. As shown, label portion 17 extends downwardly and terminatesin the plane of the lower extremity 7 of cup portion 3. Accordingly,when the sample cup 1 is positioned on a fiat surface, its stability isgreatly increased.

Label portion 17 is slightly curved, as shown in FIG. 1A, for reasonshereinafter explained, the outer surface supporting coded indiciaidentifying the source individual from whom a contained sample wastaken. A two-out-offive binary code with parity check is shown, thebinary quantities being arranged in parallel by bitserial by characterfashion and indicated by the presence or absence, respectively, of abinary notation, herein represented as a color discontinuity suitablefor optical readout. For example, the coded indicia can be printed on apaper label 18 which is affixed to the outer surface of label portion17. Alternatively, the binary quantities could be indicated by thepresence or absence of a surface discontinuity, for example, a recessbump or hole, so as to be suitable for mechanical readout. To assit thetechnician, the decimal equivalent of the binary notations can beprovided on label por tron.

Also, label portion 17 includes on its inner surface a pair oflongitudinal ribs 21. Additionally, cup portion 3 includes an annularshoulder 23 along an intermediate portion.

Ribs 21 and shoulder 23, as hereinafter described, insure alignment ofthe coded indicia during readout. It will be obvious that ribs 21 andshoulder 23 can be used individually to insure such alignment.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 28, a plurality of sample receptacles arepositioned on a turntable unit 25. Turntable unit 25 is mounted on driveshaft 27, which is coupled to a drive motor 29 through a Geneva-typegearing arrangement 31. Gearing arrangement 31 intermittantly indexesturntable unit 25 to successively position each sample receptacle l withrespect to sample probe 33. Also, motor 29 is coupled to a drivearrangement 35 which functions to move probe 33 (FIG. 2A) into and outof cup portion 3, as indicated in phantom and by the arrows. Themovement of probe 33 is synchronized with the rotation of turntable unit25, such that the probe is withdrawn while the turntable unit is indexedand immersed in a juxtaposed sample receptacle during the dwell time ofthe turntable unit. Mechanisms of this type are known in the art andhave been described, for example, in the Jack Isreeli U.S. Pat. No.3,038,340, issued on June 12, 1962, and the E. B. M. de Jong U.S. Pat.No. 3,134,263, issued on May 26, 1964.

Probe 33 is connected along a sample tube 37 to the automatic apparatus39 for performing a number of analyses of each liquid sample. Forexample, such apparatus has been shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.3,241,432, supra, probe 33 and sample tube 37 corresponding to take-offdevice 18 and conduit 12 shown in such patent. Apparatus 39 includes aperistaltic pump, not shown, which is connected along sample tube 37 toprobe 33 whereby liquid sample is aspirated from a sample receptacle 1while probe 33 is immersed within the sample contained in cup portion 3;air is aspirated while probe 33 is withdrawn from cup portion 3 andturntable unit 25 is being indexed. Accordingly, a continuous flow ofliquid samples, each sample separated, or being segmented, by an airbubble is directed along sample tube 37 to the apparatus 39. As fullydescribed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,432, supra, each liquid sample, inturn, is individually reacted and treated and, subsequently, analyzed toascertain the quantity of particular constituents of interest undertest. The results of such analysis are directed to recorder 41, whereina permanent record of the analysis results is provided. However, theseanalysis results must be correlated with the identify of the samplesource, otherwise they are meaningless or misleading.

Positive correlation of the analysis results recorded by recorder 41 isachieved in accordance with this invention by insuring positivealignment of the identifying coded indicia on each sample receptacle 1with respect to the readout means 4-3. Positive alignment is insured bythe related structural features of sample receptacle 1 and turntable 25,as particularly shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown, turntable unit 25includes an annular rim portion 45 integral with disc portion 47, whichis attached to drive shaft 27. A circular row of holes 49, eachdimensioned to receive a cup portion 3, is defined in disc portion 47.The spacings between adjacent holes 49 are such that, when samplereceptacles 1 are positioned on adjacent holes, the edges of therespective connector portions 9 and label portions 17 are abutting.Also, rim portion 45 is dimensioned to be received and clasped betweenthe cup portion 3 and label portion 17 of a sample receptacle 1. To thisend, label portion 17 is slightly inclined inwardly, say 1 or more, toinsure a slight pressure being applied between the outer surface of rim45 and the adjacent wall surface of hole 49, whereby a sample receptacle1 is retained in fixed position on turntable unit 25. Alternatively, thecross-section of rim portion 45 can be truncated whereby the lowerdimension is slightly greater than the spacing between ribs 21 and theouter surface of the lower extremity 7 of cup portion 3 to achieve asame result.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 28, that particular structures ofconnector portions 9 and label portions 17, of adjacent samplereceptacles 1 are dimensioned to abut along their adjacent edges.Preferably, connector portion 9 is formed in an annular section wouldsubtend an angle 0 having its origin at the center of turntable unit 25,where 0 360/n, n being the maximum number of sample receptacles 1 to besupported. Also, the centers of adjacent holes 49 and, also, each labelportion 17 subtend a same angle 0. To position a sample receptacle 1onto turntable unit 25, the analyst would introduce the receptacledownwardly onto rim portion 45 in such a fashion as to increase thespacing between label portion 17 and of cup portion 3. At this time, ribportions 21 would be rubbed along the outer surface of rim portion 45which removes any particulates from such surface and insures a closecontact therebetween. When sample receptacle 1 is positioned, rimportion 45 is firmly clasped due to the resiliency of label portion 17and cup portion 3 to retain the sample receptacle 1 in position. Also,by applying a slight downward pressure to connector portion 9, suchportion is forced to rest upon the upper edge surface of rim portion 45and, also, shoulder 23 on the corresponding cup portion 3 is forced torest upon disc portion 47 to vertically align the label 18 affixed toportion 17. As adjacent sample receptacles l are positioned on turntable25, abutment of the edges of the respective connector portion 9 andlabel portions 17 insures that such vertical alignment along with anaxial alignment is achieved. Finally, a cover plate 51 having a circularrow of holes 53 is positioned over turntable unit 25 to insure that thealignment of the sample receptacles l is maintained. The upper extremityll of each cup portion 3 is accessible through a corresponding hole 53in cover plate 51 to allow for the aspiration of the liquid sample.

While the connector portions 9 have been illustrated and described asformed in annular sections and, also, label portions 17 have beendescribed as being curved, alternative structures are possible. Forexample, a connector portion can be formed in a rectangular geometry,raised guide portions, for example, of a substantial triangular geometrybeing provided on the upper edge of rim portion 45 to position thecorresponding cup receptacle. Also, label portions 17 can be formed inplanar fashion, the ribs 21 being provided to compensate for thecurvature of rim portion 45; also, the rim portion could be polygonal,having a planar surface corresponding to each sample receptacle to bepositioned on turntable unit 25.

As turntable unit 25 is indexed by gearing arrangement 31, each samplereceptacle 1 is positioned, in turn, with respect to probe 33, whereby aportion of the liquid sample is aspirated and directed to apparatus 39,and subsequently advanced to pass the label portion 17 by opticalreadout apparatus 43. Printout of the coded indicia on label portion 17is effected by buffer-printer 59 a finite time subsequent to sampleaspiration, such time being equal to that time required for thecorresponding sample to be passed through apparatus 39 and analyzedwhereby the graphical analysis results and the identification isprovided concurrently to recorder 41. This time can be determined by thelocation of the readout means 43 with respect to probe 33 or,alternatively, by providing for a temporary information storage inbuffer-printer 59.

Since an optical readout is described, readout is effected duringindexing of turntable unit 25, i.e., while 33 is removed. As shown inFIG. 2A each of the columns of binary notations, each representing aparticular binary word, is illuminated by an individual pencil-beamlight source, generally indicated as 55. The binary bits, represented bya coded pattern of elongated dark marks 19 as shown in FIG. 1C, in eachindividual rows are illuminated as turntable unit 25 is indexed, theintensity of each reflected light beam being modulated according to thepassage of a dark mark indicating a particular binary quantity. Thereflected modulated light beam from sources 55 are detected by a bank ofphotocells, generally indicated as 57, one such photocell correspondingto each binary bit. A light shield 61 can be provided to shield thephotocell from stray light. Readout is effected parallel by bit-serialby character, corresponding information bit slots in each binary wordbeing vertically aligned. The respective outputs of the photocells 57are directed to a bufferprinter unit 59, which has the capacity to storethe binary information and, in turn, to print the corresponding decimalnumber, also shown on label portion 17, on the permanent record beingmade by recorder 41. Printing of the decimal number is effectedconcurrently with the recording of the analysis results, wherebycorrelation therebetween is achieved. Such techniques are well known inthe art and are described, for example, in the M. H. Pelavin US. Pat.No. 3,419,879, issued on Dec. 31, 1968. In such patent, readout iseffected mechanically by the sensing of coded notches located on theedges of a sample identification card which is physically attached tothe liquid sample receptacle. Alternatively, sample receptacles 1 and,also, the output of readout means 43 can be identified in ascendingnumerical sequence and subsequently correlated. The particularstructures of sample receptacles 1 and turntable unit 25 positivelyassure alignment of label portions 19 within the vertical and axialtolerances of the readout beam whereby accurate sample identification isachieved.

While the receptacle 1 shown in FIGS. lA-2B may be a unitary structure,the modification illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C is not such aunitary structure. The modified form includes a cup portion generallysimilar to the cup portion 3 previously described but having a differentbottom configuration, as best shown in FIG. 3B, wherein the bottom isshown as substan tially flat and having an opening 71 extending upwardlytherethrough. The cup portion 70 receives a removable tube or cuvette aswill be explained in detail hereinafter. If desired, the bottom of thecup portion 70 may be closed.

A connector portion 72 similar to the previously described connectorportion 9 is attached to and collars the cup portion 70 below its upperextremity. Connector portion 72 is joined along its entire wider curvededge to label portion 73, similar to label portion 17. The cup portion70 extends below the label portion 73. A label 74, as of paper, similarto label 18, is afixed to the label portion 73 in a similar manner andbears, in addition to other indicia similar to the indicia 19, anidentification number indicating the source of the sample. The cupportion 70 has a circumferential shoulder 76 intermediate of its endssimilar to the shoulder 23. It serves the same function.

Above the connector portion 72, the cup portion 70 is provided with aseries of upwardly extending circumferentially extending fingers 78which may be formed as an integral part thereof, the fingers 78 beingspaced from one another. At their upper extremities the fingers 78 areeach provided with a transverse rib 80 located on the inner surfacethereof, that is, the surface facing toward the center line of the cupportion 70.

The sample receptacle receives in the cup portion 70 thereof through theupper end a tube 82 closed at the bottom to support a liquid sample, thetube being open at the top in the conditions shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C.The tube 82 is of an outer diameter approaching that of the innerdiameter of the lower part of the cup portion 70 and sufficiently largerthan the aperture 71 so that the tube, which may have a rounded bottomextending into the opening 71 will not pass therethrough. The diameterof the tube 82 is also slightly greater than that of the interruptedring formed by the ribs 80 on the fingers 78, so that the distal ends ofthe fingers are sprung slightly laterally outwardly as the tube 82 isthrust into the cup portion 70. Hence it will be understood that thefingers 78 have a tube-retaining function once the tube 82 is assembledwith the cup portion 70. The fingers 78, which as previously indicatedmay be formed of plastic material, are sufficiently resilient to bearagainst the tube 82 to hold the tube in assembled condition, even in theevent that the assembly is inverted with a sample maintained captivetherein.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the tube 82, which may be termed a cuvette andresembles a laboratory test tube, may be provided with a removablestopper or plug 83 formed of a resilient material which may form a tightseal in the mouth of the tube 82. The plug 83 may be formed ofrubber-like material.

In practice the tube 82 and stopper 83 may form parts of a bloodcollection system or device sold under the trademark Vacutainer whereinthe atmosphere is evacuated from the tube 82 after the plug 83 isassembled, and blood is collected directly into the tube 82 from apatient by the use of a needle and needle holder known and used in aconventional manner. After the sample has been flowed into the tube 82or prior thereto, an identifying sticker 84 forming a label portion isapplied directly to the tube 82 in the manner shown and bears digitalinformation corresponding to the digital information on the labelportion 74. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the tube 82is not assembled with the holder portion of the sample receptacle shownin FIG. 3A until after the sample has been collected in the tube 82.

It will also be appreciated from the foregoing that the samplereceptacle shown in the last-mentioned view has other uses apart fromthat just described, that is, the holder portion thereof may receive anordinary test tube open at the top into which a sample is poured atatmospheric pressure. In the last-mentioned case there may be no need toemploy a stopper such as that shown at 83. The stopper may be omittedentirely. It will be evident that the stopper, if provided, must beremoved before sample may be aspirated from the sample holder in themanner shown in FIG. 2A.

The sample receptacle of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C is assembled to a turntableunit in the same manner as the sample receptacle 1. and cooperatestherewith in the same manner.

The sample receptacle of FIG. 4 is very similar to the sample receptacle3A and differs mainly in that it is adapted for use on a turntable tocentrifuge a sample contained therein, which turntable may later be usedin the manner shown in FIG. 2A for aspiration of a sample from thereceptacle. The use of a single turntable for both centrifuging of asample and subsequent aspiration of the sample from the samplereceptacle while on the turntable forms no part of the present inventionand is separately described and claimed in application Ser. No. 70, 199,filed Sept. 8, 1970, assigned to the Assignee of this invention.

In the form of FIG. 4, the cup portion 85 of the receptacle is similarto the cup portion 70 and the label portion 86 is similar to the labelportion 73. A connector portion 87 is provided which is generallysimilar to the connector portion 72 except that it is provided with anextension 88 which, when the receptacle is mounted on a turntable,extends in a direction towards the center of the turntable beyond thecup portion 85. The extension 88 has a downward flange 89 thereon whichtogether with the extension 88 forms a hook-like member, as shown inFIG. 4, to receive and swing about a pivot member 90 so that the samplereceptacle may swing on a horizontal axis (in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 4) as in a conventional centrifuge. Thoughthe details of the turntable supporting the pivot member 90 are notshown in this view, it will be understood that the receptacle cooperatestherewith in a manner similar to that described with reference to thesample receptacle of FIG. 1A to maintain the sample receptacle (toprevent swing movement in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4) insubstantially vertical position when a sample is not being centrifugedbut is being aspirated from the sample receptacle and when indicia isread from the label portion 86.

While several forms of the sample receptacle have been shown in thedrawings and described above it will be apparent to those versed in theart that the sample receptacle is susceptible of taking other forms andthat changes may be made in details without departing from theprinciples of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquid sample receptacle for support by a tray, the combination,comprising: a normally upwardly directed vertically elongated cupportion open at the top and having a side wall structure, an upwardlyarranged vertically elongated plate-like label portion spaced outwardlyfrom a portion of said side wall structure and having the vertical axisthereof substantially parallel to the vertical axis of said cup portion,said label portion having a surface thereof adapted to carrymachine-readable indicia which indicia identifies the source of thecontents of said cup portion, and a connector portion interconnectingsaid cup portion and said label portion, said connector portion lying ina plane substantially perpendicular to said vertical axes of said cupportion and said label portion and having an outer margin spacedoutwardly from said side wall structure, said label portion beingfixedly supported from said outer margin of said connector portion.

2. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein: said labelportion has the upper margin thereof fixed to said outer margin of saidconnector portion.

3. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said labelportion is supported from said connector portion in depending relationthereto, and said label portion has a face thereof opposing said sidewall structure of said cup portion and engageable with a verticalsurface portion of said tray.

' 4. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein the lowerextremity of said label portion lies in the same horizontal plane as thelower extremity of said cup portion, the lower extremity of said cupportion being structured to rest on a table surface, and said labelportion providing additional support to said cup portion when resting onsuch table surface.

5. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said cupportion has intermediate its upper and lower extremities acircumferentially arranged annular shoulder on the exterior of said sidewall structure.

6. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein saidconnector portion is wedge-shaped and collars said cup portion, and saidlabel portion is arcuate in horizontal cross section.

7. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said labelportion is curved inwardly toward said cup portion in a directiontransversely of said label portion, said label portion being joined tosaid connector portion along one of its curved edges.

8. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein: said labelportion and said cup portion are inter-connected adjacent their upperextremities by said connector portion, the lower extremities of said cupportion and said label portion being relatively inclined slightly towardeach other, and said connector portion and said label portion beingresiliently supported from said cup portion.

9. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 2, wherein said faceof said label portion has a plurality of tray-engaging ribs thereon.

10. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 9, wherein said ribsare two in number and are vertically arranged in laterally spaced-apartposition.

1. In a liquid sample receptacle for support by a tray, the combination,comprising: a normally upwardly directed vertically elongated cupportion open at the top and having a side wall structure, an upwardlyarranged vertically eloNgated plate-like label portion spaced outwardlyfrom a portion of said side wall structure and having the vertical axisthereof substantially parallel to the vertical axis of said cup portion,said label portion having a surface thereof adapted to carrymachinereadable indicia which indicia identifies the source of thecontents of said cup portion, and a connector portion interconnectingsaid cup portion and said label portion, said connector portion lying ina plane substantially perpendicular to said vertical axes of said cupportion and said label portion and having an outer margin spacedoutwardly from said side wall structure, said label portion beingfixedly supported from said outer margin of said connector portion.
 2. Aliquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein: said labelportion has the upper margin thereof fixed to said outer margin of saidconnector portion.
 3. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1,wherein said label portion is supported from said connector portion independing relation thereto, and said label portion has a face thereofopposing said side wall structure of said cup portion and engageablewith a vertical surface portion of said tray.
 4. A liquid samplereceptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower extremity of saidlabel portion lies in the same horizontal plane as the lower extremityof said cup portion, the lower extremity of said cup portion beingstructured to rest on a table surface, and said label portion providingadditional support to said cup portion when resting on such tablesurface.
 5. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid cup portion has intermediate its upper and lower extremities acircumferentially arranged annular shoulder on the exterior of said sidewall structure.
 6. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1,wherein said connector portion is wedge-shaped and collars said cupportion, and said label portion is arcuate in horizontal cross section.7. A liquid sample receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said labelportion is curved inwardly toward said cup portion in a directiontransversely of said label portion, said label portion being joined tosaid connector portion along one of its curved edges.
 8. A liquid samplereceptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein: said label portion and saidcup portion are inter-connected adjacent their upper extremities by saidconnector portion, the lower extremities of said cup portion and saidlabel portion being relatively inclined slightly toward each other, andsaid connector portion and said label portion being resilientlysupported from said cup portion.
 9. A liquid sample receptacle asdefined in claim 2, wherein said face of said label portion has aplurality of tray-engaging ribs thereon.
 10. A liquid sample receptacleas defined in claim 9, wherein said ribs are two in number and arevertically arranged in laterally spaced-apart position.